Freight and Logistics Graduate Course Guarantees a Job for Successful Students

UK – Whilst all the talk is of the shortfall of HGV drivers and the lack of awareness amongst youngsters regarding the logistics industry as a career, one not-for-profit based scheme is working toward introducing graduate talent into the freight sector by providing two innovative 4-year Supply Chain Management degree courses that will guarantee a job, should the graduate meet the necessary criteria. The NOVUS scheme, brainchild of Andy Kaye, CEO and founder of recruitment and business consultancy BiS Henderson, covers supply chain management and IT, finance, organisational structure and methods, sociology and psychology, transport network and warehouse design, inventory management and HR management.

Set up and initially based at The University of Huddersfield, this year’s crop of NOVUS students have enjoyed an action packed few weeks during a busy term at the University of Huddersfield. In addition to a Netherlands field trip, an annual fixture in the second year calendar where students visit key logistics facilities in the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam port and Schipol airport, students have been out and about visiting sites with their mentors and through organised trips.

One particular highlight was a trip to the adjacent food distribution giant Brakes and national builders merchant Travis Perkins facilities, both at the brand new Omega distribution park at Warrington. Students were treated to insights in to site design and operation from senior managers at both sites and were able to tour the operational facilities. Some even experienced what it is like to work in a cold store. Commenting on the visit to Brakes, NOVUS student James Scrivens said:

“[The visit gave] a great insight into how Brakes works, from warehouse management to outbound logistics. All of the staff were accommodating and friendly, showing a great deal of interest in our future development. Tony Appleyard (Network Integration Manager at Brakes Group) showed a great deal of passion for his job which ignited my interest further in the logistics and supply chain management industry.”

Students have also been hard at work on live company projects, gaining real world experience in the work place and building effective working relationships with people at NOVUS companies. At Cummins, first year students have been working on an improvement project with Six Sigma specialists, looking at ways to improve the manufacturing process for turbochargers.

Meanwhile at PZ Cussons, students have been tackling a global sourcing project, looking at the best place in the world to manufacture a product to satisfy global demand. The second year group has been working on a warehouse design project, supported by Gist, and designing a facility fit for the storage and distribution of technology products. Proposals will be presented back to business development specialists from Gist. The final year students have been playing the Fresh Connection supply chain simulation game, taking on the role of a management team at a manufacturing business and taking a series of supply chain decisions aimed at improving financial performance.

There have been a wealth of visitors to campus providing guest lectures and industry insight for students, with visitors from Wincanton, Hermes, Gist, DHL, Clipper and Travis Perkins. Students are looking forward to a one day problem solving workshop at Arla. David Leach, NOVUS Programme Director commented:

“The NOVUS scheme is providing outstanding opportunities to enrich the education of our students. The companies have been brilliant, helping to build the students’ knowledge and experience.”

For further information on the NOVUS scheme, and its two 4-year Supply Chain Management degree courses that will guarantee a job, should the graduate meet the necessary criteria, email: novus@hud.ac.uk

Photo: NOVUS students visit the Brakes facility.